What are the types of machinable ceramics

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Machinable ceramics are a type of advanced ceramic material with unique mechanical processing properties, which can be precision machined through conventional mechanical processing methods such as turning, milling, drilling, etc. after sintering.

The main types and characteristics of machinable ceramics

1. Mica based machinable ceramics
   Material composition: Mica crystal as matrix, glass phase as binder
   Processing characteristics: excellent machinability, can be processed with standard hard alloy tools
   Typical product: MACOR ®、 Mica glass ceramic
   Working temperature: Maximum continuous use temperature of 800-1000 ℃
2. Boron nitride based machinable ceramics
   Material composition: Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) as the main component
   Processing characteristics: Processing performance similar to graphite, low friction coefficient
   Typical products: Hot pressed boron nitride, spray grade boron nitride ceramics
   Working temperature: up to 2000 ℃ in inert atmosphere, about 900 ℃ in air
3. Phosphate based machinable ceramics
   Material composition: Aluminum phosphate, zirconium phosphate and other systems
   Processing characteristics: Good machining performance, moderate strength
   Special advantages: low thermal conductivity, excellent thermal insulation performance
4. Composite machinable ceramics
   Material composition: Composite design of multiple ceramic phases
   Processing characteristics: Balancing machinability and mechanical properties
   Design concept: Realize controllable fracture mechanism through microstructure design

Product advantages and core values
Excellent processability
-No need for diamond tools: conventional hard alloy or high-speed steel tools can be used
-Complex shape forming: capable of processing threads, fine grooves, and irregular structures
-Low cost post-processing: significantly reducing the manufacturing cost of precision ceramic parts
Excellent comprehensive performance
-High temperature resistance: Operating temperature range from -200 ℃ to 1600 ℃
-Electrical insulation: high volume resistivity, suitable for high-voltage environments
-Chemical stability: resistant to most acid-base and solvent corrosion
-Low thermal expansion: high dimensional stability, strong resistance to thermal shock
Multi functional feature combination
-Adjustable thermal conductivity: from low insulation to moderate thermal conductivity
-Vacuum compatibility: extremely low gas release rate, suitable for vacuum systems
-Radiation stability: Some types are radiation resistant and suitable for the nuclear industry

Customization service for specifications and dimensions
Standard product specifications
-Board: thickness 0.5-50mm, maximum size 600 × 600mm
-Rod: diameter 3-150mm, length up to 1000mm
-Pipe material: inner and outer diameters can be customized, with a minimum wall thickness of 0.3mm
Precision machining capability
-Tolerance control: conventional ± 0.05mm, precision grade ± 0.005mm
-Surface roughness: The lowest can reach Ra 0.1 μ m
-Complex structures: capable of processing deep holes, thin walls, and microstructures
Special customization options
-Material Composite: Composite Structure of Different Ceramic Layers
-Metalization treatment: Surface metallization is used for welding or packaging
-Coating Enhancement: Functional Coatings Improve Surface Properties

Key industrial problems solved

1. High temperature insulation and support
   Problem scenario: Insulation components of high-temperature furnaces and induction heating equipment
   Solution: Mica based machinable ceramic production fixtures and brackets
   Effect: Can withstand temperatures above 1000 ℃ and maintain electrical insulation properties
2. Precision instrument components
   Problem scenario: Semiconductor equipment and analytical instruments require complex shaped insulation components
   Solution: Precision machining of ceramics into specific structures
   Effect: High dimensional accuracy, vacuum compatibility, no pollution
3. Electric vacuum devices
   Problem scenario: Microwave tubes and accelerators require high vacuum compatible insulation components
   Solution: Low outgassing rate machinable ceramics
   Effect: Maintain high vacuum degree, resistant to electron bombardment
4. Corrosion resistant environment
   Problem scenario: Chemical equipment, semiconductor wet process
   Solution: Chemically stable and machinable ceramics
   Effect: Resistant to acid and alkali corrosion, long-lasting

Application case presentation
Case 1: Key Components of Semiconductor Equipment
Customer background: Leading semiconductor equipment manufacturer
Application requirements: Insulation fixing components in plasma etching equipment, requiring high temperature resistance, high purity, and precision machining of complex shapes
Solution: Adopting high-purity mica based machinable ceramics, customizing and processing 24 different structural components
Usage effect: The average time between failures of the equipment is increased by 30%, and the release of pollutant ions is reduced to ppb level
Case 2: Aerospace Sensor Packaging
Customer Background: Aerospace Research Institute
Application requirements: Insulation packaging for high-temperature pressure sensors, requiring resistance to 1200 ℃, low thermal expansion, and metalization welding capability
Solution: Boron nitride based machinable ceramics, surface metallization treatment
Usage effect: Successfully applied to engine testing, maintaining stable accuracy for over 1000 hours
Case 3: Medical equipment radiation window
Customer background: High end medical imaging equipment company
Application requirements: X-ray equipment observation window, requiring high X-ray transmittance, vacuum sealing, and complex structure
Solution: Composite machinable ceramics, precision machined flange structure
Usage effect: transmittance increased by 15%, leakage rate better than 10 ⁻⁹ Pa · m ³/s
Case 4: Measurement of Chemical Corrosion Environment
Customer background: Specialty chemical enterprise
Application requirements: Liquid level sensor sheath in strong acidic and alkaline environments, requiring corrosion resistance and machinable threads
Solution: Phosphate based machinable ceramics for processing internal and external thread structures
Usage effect: The service life has been extended from 3 months of raw materials to over 3 years

Machinable ceramics play an irreplaceable role in high-end manufacturing due to their unique machinability and excellent comprehensive performance. From mica based to boron nitride based, from standard parts to fully customized, these materials have solved the problems that traditional ceramics are difficult to process and traditional metals cannot meet performance requirements for engineers.
Do you need a machinable ceramic solution? Please contact us immediately for customized consultation! Our engineering team will provide you with comprehensive support from material selection to finished product delivery.

Brudeze Ceramics supplies and sells a wide range of high-quality quartz glass, including alumina ceramics, zirconia ceramics, silicon nitride ceramics, aluminum nitride ceramics, silicon carbide ceramics, boron carbide ceramics, bioceramics, machinable ceramics, etc. We can meet the customization requirements of various ceramic products.